11-year-old killed in hit and run in Richland County

An 11-year-old was killed crossing the road in a fatal hit-and-run Wednesday morning.

The Richland County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as Travis Kelley, 11, of Gadsden.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol say that the fatal collision happened around 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 1 near the intersection of Bluff Road and Blackberry Road, east of Gadsden. Kelley was crossing the road when he was struck and killed by a 2008 Lexus sedan traveling in the westbound lane toward Gadsden.

The car then left the scene, according to Master Trooper William Bennett with the highway patrol.

Law enforcement arrested James Hargrave, 55, as the driver of the car. Hargrave was arrested shortly after the crash and is in custody at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

Hargrave, who is from Gadsden, has been charged with hit and run resulting in death.

This is a breaking news story. Check back here for updates.

Ted Clifford

The State

803-771-8315

Ted Clifford is the statewide accountability reporter at The State Newspaper. Formerly the crime and courts reporter, he has covered the Murdaugh saga, state and federal court, as well as criminal justice and public safety in the Midlands and across South Carolina. He is the recipient of the 2023 award for best beat reporting by the South Carolina Press Association.